Kiya, I've read the whole thread, back when it was originally posted and now. Perhaps you shouldn't do a linguistics study without a degree in psychology so you would know that clients often interpret words differently than they are stated. Like Kim said, if it doesn't cause harm in the long run for pink, then great. For many people, this would be very counterproductive to stopping SI, by letting the client know that she is free to SI without any real consequences. The whole point is to get a client to reach out for help BEFORE SI, to use more constructive skills instead. If I know my T won't see me if I SI over the limit, I am more motivated to stop.

Pink, I'm glad that you haven't SI'd since and can get back on track. In DBT, when I felt like SI'ing, I was instructed to call my therapist 24/7 to get help to use skills instead. That connection was crucial to stopping the urges and behavior because I knew that my T knew in the moment, and cared whether I did it or not. She was invested in me, and I didn't want to let her down. Her caring in the moment, the connection (because usually during SI there is a disconnect internally), was very important.